Container



June 14, 1938.

a. A. MOORE CONTAINER Filed Oct. 14, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORNEYJune 14, 1938. e. A. MOORE CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed 001;. 14, 1935I 'III 'I u" I 'I 25 N MM "1 FIGJO.

A TTORNEY Patented June 14, 1938 n STATES P ENT FF E' comma GeorgeArlington Moore, Louisville, Ky minor to Humoco Corporation, Louisville,Ky., a cor,-

portion of Delaware Application October 14, 1935, semi No. 44,856'

'IClaims.

This invention relates to containers or receptacles and moreparticularly to such articles having angular corners and constructed offoldable material.

One of the objects is to provide a novel of the present inventionseamless flanged article formed of a single blank of material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel rectangularreceptacle adapted to be made from a slngle blank of material and onewherein the corners are reinforced and stayed by folds in the flangedportion thereof.

Still another object is to provide a novel flanged container made from asingle blank of fibrous material and having folds at the cornersthereof, the folds at each corner being preferably symmetricallydisposed with respect thereto and constituting means for staying thesame.

A further object is to provide a novel flanged article having squarecorners, wherein a seamless, fibrous flange is formed integrally withthe base of said article.

A still further object is to provide a flanged article adapted to beformed from a single blank wherein the corners are formed by folding theflanged portion of said article in a novel manner.

drawing and pleating the marginal portion of said blank to form aseamless flange having reinforced corners.

Another object is to provide a container comprising cooperating top andbottom flanged sections adapted to be formed by folding the marginalportions of a single blank in a novel manner.

Another object is to provide a novel container which is so constructedas to render the walls thereof impervious to air and moisture.

Another object is to provide a container constructed in a novel mannerwhereby lighter and less expensive materials may be employed withoutreducing the strength and durability thereof. I

The above and further vobjectsand novel features of the presentinvention will, more fully appear from the following detaileddescription, which is to be read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for thepurpose of illustration only and are. not designed as a definition ofthe limits of the invention, reference being primarily had for thispurpose to the appended claims.

In ,the drawings, wh

erein like reference charcordance with the present invention; Y 5

Fig. 1a is a perspective view showing one cor-- ner of the blank of Fig.1 in partially folded position; t a

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a container embodying the presentinvention showing the' same in full open position;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view, partly in section and with parts brokenaway, of a cornerof :the left-hand portion of the container, as seen inFig. 4 is a side elevation of a container constructed from.the:blank .ofFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the containe in partially openedposition; 4

Fig. 5a is a partial plan view, taken along the line -51: of Fig. 5,illustrating the construction of a corner of the container;-

Fig. 6 is a top plan view, partly in section and with parts broken away,of a second embodiment of the invention, the sections being taken alongtwo horizontal planes," the lower plane containing the upper edge of thelower section of the container; y I

Fig. '7 is a detail view showing one corner of a blank which may beemployed in sealing one section of the container; 1

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of said second embodiment; r

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the container in openposition; and 35 Fig. 10 is a side elevation of said second embodiment,with partsbroken' away, and partially in section.

One embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated in Figs; 1" to 5a,inclusive, by way-of example, in the form of a rectangular containersuitable for the packaging ofcigarettes. :Containers ofthe generalcharacter shown, particularly thoseadapted and intended to be carried inones pocket fora considerable period' before 4,5 the contents are.completely used, are invariably subjected to stresses tending 'tocrushtheys'ame, the greatest stresses being placedqon the .corners thereof.In packages heretofore provided, the corners have been comparativelyweak because of v50 interruptions orv seams in the flanged portionsthereof at or adjacent. saidcorners, thus permitting the same to be(easil broken open or crushed and thereby causing damage to orpermittingthe escap fihe, contents, of the-pack.-

age. The present invention comprehends a container wherein the flangedportion thereof is integral with the base. of the container and,is notbroken or interrupted at the corners, thus-,obviating the necessity of aseam at or near said corners, and accordingly rendering the sameimpervious to air and moisture as. well as preventing escape of thecontents through an imperfect or oosened seam.

In the form shown, a box having a flanged top or upper section I! and aflanged bottom or lower section I3, adapted to cooperate with each otherto constitute a complete container or enclosure, is formed by folding asingle flat blank A, composed of flbrous or other foldable material, ina novel manner either by hand or suitable machinery. Blank A comprisestwo spaced areas I and I5 having the same shape and dimensions, theformer constituting what may be referred to as the bottom of the lowersection II of the container and the latter the top of the upper sectionI2. Areas I4 and it are preferably deflned by scores or ribs I8 and II,which may be impressed into the blank at the same time that said blankis cut to the desired size and shape. Ribs I8 and I1, although notessential elements of the present invention, are preferably provided forthe purpose of facilitating the folding of blank A and to stiffen andstrengthen the completed container. Said ribs preferably extendoutwardly, thus forming complementary grooves interiorly of thecontainer.

Bottom I4 and top l5 are provided with marginal strips I8 and I9,respectively, formed integrally therewith and extending around threesides thereof, each of said strips being of uniform width throughout itslength. The strips or marginal portions I8 and I 9 are adapted to befolded at right angles to said top and bottom to form three of the sidewalls of the container sections I 2 and I3, and may be of any suitablewidth depending upon the desired vertical dimension of the container. Itwill be understood that marginal strips I8 and I9 may be of equal orunequal widths, depending upon the desired relative-sizes or capacitiesof sections I2 and I3.

When the marginal portions I8 and I8 of blank A are turned up or drawninto flanged relation with parts I4 and I5, there is an excess ofmaterial at each of the corners about which said portions extend that,in accordance with the present invention, is folded in a novel mannerwhereby reinforced, seamless corners are formed, and the container givena neat andpleasing appearance. In the folding of the blank, adevelopment of which is shown in Fig. 1, the four outer corners thereofare creased and folded along lines a and e, which represent intersectingedges of bottom Il or top I5 extended, and deflne the comer areas of themarginal portions I8 and I8. Said comer areas are also creased alongthree other lines b, c-and d contained within the right angle betweenlines a and e. Creases a to e, inclusive, all emanate and diverge fromthe corners of part I4 or I5, and divide the corner areas a, e into fourtriangular sectors l, 2, 3 and 4' ed over the upper edge of thecontainer, if desired.

The folding of the corners is preferably'carried out simultaneously withthe folding of side walls I8 and is along lines or scores I8 and I1, re-

spectively, and the corner folds may be made to extend into thecontainer and engage the'inner surfaces of the side walls or the samemay extend exterlorly thereof and engage the outer surface of said sidewalls. When interiorly folded corners, as illustrated in Fig. 5a, aredesired,- creases b and d are moved upwardly and inwardly ahead ofcrease 0 during the folding operation (Fig. 1a), and the sector surfacesI' and 8' on the outer surface of the corner area of the marginalportion ofblank A move into engagementwith sector surfaces 2' and 4',respectively, as creases a, c and e move toward each other and into avertical position. At the same time, creases b and d are caused todiverge so as to bring sector surfaces I and l on the inner surface ofblank A into engagement with the adjacent inner surfaces of side wallsI8 or II at opposite sides of the corner which is being formed. Atriple-ply, symmetrically formed, seamless corner is thus provided whichis superior to corners heretofore provided in flber packages, both instrength and durability as well as in ability to retain fine-grainedcontents.

In order to render the corners formed in'the above manner permanent, andto hold the side walls in folded position, a suitable adhesive isapplied to at least one of each of the engaging surfaces of the cornerfolds. Preferably, a thermoplastic, moisture-proof-adhesive, which maybe activated by heat and pressure without the application of a solventto render the same tacky, is employed. In a container wherein the cornerfolds extend interiorly thereof, as above described, said adhesive isapplied to interior sector surfaces I and 4 and to exterior sectorsurfaces 2' and 3', as illustrated in Fig. 1. Heat and pressure may beapplied to the folded corners by suitable heating elements associatedwith cooperating die members, which may be employed in carrying out thefolding operation, thereby causing the adhesive to become tacky and flowsufficiently under pressure to flll up the pores or crevices of theengaging surfaces and accordingly substantially weld the same intointimate contact with each other.

If it is desired to pro de a smooth inner wall surface in the container,he side walls I8 and I8 may be pressed outwardly along the line of'creases b and d, as shown at 20, to form triangularly shaped recessesfor receiving the folds L1 and 3, 4.

The sections I2 and I3, formed in the above manner with a perpendicularseamless flange on three sides thereof, have the fourth sides of thesame joined by a strip 2| constituting the end of the container, saidstrip having one dimension equal to the width of the areas I4 and I5 andits other dimension equal to the sum of the widths of marginal strips i8and I9. If desired, a score or rib Ila may be provided in end portion2!, preferably at the juncture of the upper and lower sections of thecontainer, to facilitate the use of said end portion as a hinge whenopening the container in the manner shown in Fig. 5.

In the illustrated embodiment, a liner 22, having outer dimensionsslightly less than the inner dimensions of the container parts I2 andI8, is inserted into the latter, the lower edge of said liner beingadapted to project into the peripheral score or groove I6. Liner 22preferably projects above the upper edge of the lower section of thecontainer to an extent equal to or slightly less than the width offlange ll of the upper section I 2, and is adapted to be enclosed bysaid upper section when the latter is folded over to cooperate withlower section ii to form a complete enclosure, as shown in Fig. 4. Asuitable adhesive, preferably a thermoplastic adhesive, as seen at 2"),may be interposed between the side and end walls l8, 2| of section i3and adapted to be activated by cellosolve being preferred.

It will be noted that all four corners of sections l2 and 13 may be ofthe folded type, if desired, thereby providing a continuousuninterrupted flange about the entire periphery of each of saidsections. .To form the container in this manner, the marginal or flangeportions I8 and i9 need only be extended toward the center of blank A adistance equal to the width of said flange portions.

A second embodiment of the invention, wherein externally folded corners,as referred to above, are employed, is illustrated, by way of example,in Figs. 6' to 10, inclusive, in the form of a two part container.. Asshown, the container comprises two sections, an upper section 24 and alower section 25, each of said sections being formed from a separateblankeach of the blanks employed being rectangular in shape except thatthe tips of all four corners are preferably sheared in the manner shownat 25a in Fig. 1. The corners of the blanks are creased preparatory tofolding along the same lines, a to e, inclusive, as shown and describedin the first embodiment. The marginal portions around the entireperiphery of the blanks are folded into perpendicular relation with thecentral portions thereof, the corners being folded in the mannerhereinafter described to form the top and bottom cooperating sections 24and 25. A liner 22, having a foil or cellophane covering 23, may beemployed by inserting the same in the bottom section 25 in the samemanner as described in connection with the first embodiment. A tape 26joining adjacent end walls of the two sections of the container may beprovided for pivotally securing said sections together so that thecontainer may be opened in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9. In theoperation of folding the flanged corners externally of the container inthe manner most clearly illustrated in Fig. 6, creases b and d tend toremain outside of the container as the same is being formed, saidcreases lagging, so to speak, the side walls and crease c as the lattermove into a position normal to the central portion or area of the blank.Sector surfaces I and 3 are thus brought into engagement with sectorsurfaces 2 and 4, respectively. At the same time, creases b andd arecaused to diverge, thereby bringing surfaces I' and 4' on the lower faceof the blank into engagement with the outer surfaces of side walls 21 or28 on the opposite sides of the corner being formed. Reinforcedthree-ply corners are thus provided and a smooth inner wall surfaceresults without deforming the side walls 21 and 22 of the sections 24and 2B. The corner folds of the side walls may be held in foldedposition by a suitable adhesive which may be applied'to surfaces 2 and 3on the inner face of the blankemployed and surfaces I and 4' on theouter face of said blank.

There --is thusprovided a novel flanged container or receptacle adaptedto be formed from a single blank and wherein the flanged portion isseamless and also integral with the base of said container orreceptacle, thereby rendering the walls thereof impervious to theentrance of air and moisture and constituting the same leakproof unlessthe material itself is ruptured. A novel container is also providedwherein the corner areas of the marginal portion of the blank from whichsaid container is formed are folded in a novel manner to form reinforcedcorners having three-ply wall portions at either side thereof, the foldsbeing symmetrically disposed with respect thereto. The corners beingthus reinforced and strengthened ofler materially more resistance tocrushing and consequent damage to the contents of the container thansimilar type containers heretofore provided without necessitating anyincrease in the quality, strength or thickness of the material employed.The novel container provided is also adapted to be readily gladinexpensively manufactured in large quan- Although only two embodimentsof the present invention are illustrated-and described, it is to beexpressly understood that the same is not limited thereto, but thatvarious other forms of containers having varying sizes and shapes andembodying the invention may be provided, as will now be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Reference will be primarily had to theappended zilaims for a definition of the limits of the inven- What isclaimed is:

l. A container of the class described having a base portion, integralside walls, and seamless corners, said base, side walls and comers beingformed from a single blank and said side walls having folds thereinflush with the inner surface of said side walls and having the upperedges thereof flush with the upper edges of said side walls, means forsecuring said folds to each other and to said side walls, and ribsjoining said base and side walls to stiffen and strengthen thecontainer.

2. A fiber article comprising a substantially rectangular blank scoredon lines parallel to each edge thereof and equidistant therefrom to forma rib and complementary groove, the area enclosed by said ribconstituting the base portion of the article and the marginal portion ofthe blank being folded along the outer edge of said groove to form acontinuous flange having two folds of equal proportions at each cornerand symmetrically disposed with respect thereto, and a liner having thelower edges thereof extending into said groove and projecting above theupper edgesof said flange.

3. A flber container comprising a bottom section and a top section, aseamless flange constituting all but one side wall of each of saidsections and integral with the central portions of said sections, aliner disposed in one of said sections and extending into the other, andan end wall of said container extending between said central portionsand integral with both of said sections, said end wall constitutinghinge means for said sections.

, 4. A rectangular fiber container comprising a top section and a bottomsection, each of said sections having a seamless peripheral flange, saidflange being constituted by the marginal portion of a blank and havingfolds at each corner symmetrically disposed with respect to said comer,a liner disposed within said bottom section and extending into said topsection, and a tape constituting a hinge joining adjacent ends of saidsections.

5. A container of the class described having a base portion, side wallsintegral with said base portion and seamless corners, said base, sidewalls and corners being formed from a single blank and said side wallshaving folds therein constituting reinforcements for said corners, and

ribs Joining said base and side walls to stiffen and strengthen thecontainer.

6. In an article formed from a blank comprising fibrous material, a baseportion and a flange integral with said base portion, said flange havinga seamless corner construction comprising a pair or folds engaging thetwo sides of the corner and secured thereto, and ribs joining said baseand flange to stiffen and strengthen the container.

7. A container comprising fibrous materials including a top section anda bottom section, each of said sections having a seamless peripheralflange, said flange being constituted by the marginal portion of a blankand having folds at each corner symmetrically disposed with respect tosaid corner, and a liner disposed within said bottom section andextending into said top section.

GEORGE ARLINGTON MOORE.

